Interview with Lost Ocean.

This week I interviewed Jeff Gray from the band Lost Ocean. I was first introduced to the band through a brief EP they released. Even such a short album of Lost Ocean songs has a big, epic quality to it. Somehow their music makes me think of driving with the windows down on a cross country road trip. However, I'd say the most remarkable thing about a Lost Ocean album is that every song is a solid, well written song. There are no mediocre filler tracks to be found in the Lost Ocean cannon. That's a rare accomplishment for any artist to achieve. Lost Ocean is a band that deserves to be listened to. Enjoy the interview, and don't forget to visit Lost Ocean at the links below.
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Brax: An ocean seems like a pretty big body of water to misplace. Can you tell me about the name of your band?

Lost Ocean: Isn’t it an epic idea? That’s just it. This band has had an epic quality since we began, although it is more obvious in our earlier work.

Brax: What music project are you currently working on?

Lost Ocean: We have a fully independent album coming out this fall. Eric Owyoung from the band Future Of Forestry is mixing the project, which we couldn’t be more excited about. The record will have 14 songs and will be called “Could This Be Love?” We just released an EP on iTunes and Amazon designed as a "tease" for this record. It's called the "All Our Friends EP." Go get it if you haven't already!

Brax: Looking at the artwork on your albums and elsewhere, it seems you have a thing for dandelions. Is this a coincidence, or is there some hidden meaning there?

Lost Ocean: A talented artist from Nashville named JT Daly had the idea when he listened to a song of ours, Just Glide, from our last record. If you look closely, you will see a bunch of tiny people swinging from the petals of the dandelion.

Brax: How do you feel about interstellar travel?

Lost Ocean: Second favorite pastime.

Brax: What current bands do you enjoy and/or respect?

Lost Ocean: Always a fan of Radiohead. Who isn’t? Currently listening to the new Iron and Wine collection, but I’ve also discovered, for the first time, the convicting life and music of a Christian artist from the 70’s named Keith Green. Deep respect.

Brax: What do you hope to accomplish with your music?

Lost Ocean: Connect with people in a deep way and make music that people love. If that’s accomplished by offering a melody to lift them out of bed, that’s good with us. I’m a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, so the lyrics are clean and real. A nearly infinite amount of music available today offers an exclusively self-serving picture of love. We try to make music that offers a self-sacrificing picture of love. This new album has been heavily influenced by my love for my bride of three years, and the journey we’ve been on so far. Consequently, this may be a little too sugary-sweet for some, but I’ve decided to be honest with myself and we’re all loving the result.

Brax: iPod, CD, Vinyl, or other? Why?

Lost Ocean: We all own record players and there’s nothing like putting the needle down on a record you love. CDs will be as rare as Vinyl to our children though, so I’ve got a good collection of those going too. I admit, the iPod is ridiculously convenient, especially with the little hook-up on my car radio.

Brax: Tell me about your best and worst live shows ever.

Lost Ocean: We played a big Fourth of July event in our hometown with a band called Sanctus Real, who are friends of ours. That was an awesome show. The next day, we were the only band featured in the paper from that night! Actually one of our worst shows was a few years ago on the eve of our self-titled release. We didn’t set it up like a CD release show, plus we had never played in Ashland, OR before. Needless to say, only about twenty people showed up and we sold like three CDs. ...biggest ego crusher ever. Maybe we needed that.

Brax: Robots or androids?

Lost Ocean: Definitely Droids. Robots aren't even real.

Brax: Any advice for others trying to “make it” in music?

Lost Ocean: Sky likes to say “good music prevails.” I say work hard on your end, find something to feature that makes you stand out, and leave the result in God’s capable hands. If the answer’s “no,” you’ll know with time, but be persistent while you’re trying to get there.

Brax: Anything else you’d like to add?

Lost Ocean: We can’t wait for the final season of LOST to air next January. Who's with us? Thank you Brax!

Visit Lost Ocean:
www.myspace.com/lostocean
www.purevolume.com/lostocean
Tell them Brax sent you!
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Thanks to Lost Ocean.
Check back next Wednesday for my exciting interview with Hidden From Blackout.

Brax.